Commission Opinion [COM(97) 2003 final Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(98) 702 final Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(1999) 510 final Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2000) 710 final Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2001) 700 final - SEC (2001) 1753 Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2002) 700 final - SEC(2002) 1409 Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2003) 676 final SEC(2003) 1211 Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2004) 657 final - SEC (2004) 1200 - Not published in the Official Journal]Commission Report [COM(2005) 534 final - SEC(2005) 1354 - Not published in the Official Journal]Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 157 of 21.06.05]

SUMMARY

In its July 1997 Opinion, the European Commission concluded that Romania had made limited progress in aligning its farming legislation with that of the EU. A sustained and thoroughgoing reform was therefore considered necessary to restructure the Romanian farm sector and agri-food industry.

The November 1998 Report noted that encouraging progress had been made in the agriculture sector. In fisheries, despite some progress at the institutional, legal and political levels, there was a need for major efforts to adapt this sector before accession.

The October 1999 Report confirmed the efforts made by Romania, while underlining the need to adopt measures in the plant-health sector.

There had been no progress on fisheries since the previous report.

The November 2000 Report noted that Romania was still experiencing major problems in modernising its farm sector. Harmonisation was still inadequate in the fisheries sector.

The November 2001 Report noted that little progress had been made in restructuring the farm sector. Conversely, a significant step forward had been made in the fisheries sector with the adoption of a new law on fisheries resources, fisheries and aquaculture. The October 2002 Report noted that Romania had continued its efforts in fisheries and agriculture.

The November 2003 Report pointed out that although Romania had made progress with agricultural restructuring, this progress had been restricted by insufficient administrative and management capacities. For fisheries, only minor progress had been noted since the previous year.

The October 2004 Report noted that Romania had made satisfactory progress on harmonisation and on strengthening its administrative capacities in the agriculture and fisheries sectors alike. However, it invited Romania to pay particular attention to the effective implementation of the transposed acquis.

The October 2005 Report stated that Romania should be in a position to implement the acquis as regards certain aspects of the agriculture chapter. However, greater efforts were needed in a number of areas. For fisheries, the report underlined the need to improve the monitoring system.

The Treaty of Accession was signed on 25 April 2005 and accession took place on 1 January 2007.

COMMUNITY ACQUIS

The common agricultural policy is designed to maintain and develop a modern farming system that ensures both a fair standard of living for farmers and a supply of food at reasonable prices for consumers, as well as guaranteeing free movement of goods within the EU.

The Europe Agreement, which provides the legal basis for agricultural trade between Romania and the EU, aims to promote cooperation on modernising, restructuring and privatising Romania's farming and food sectors and its plant-health standards. The 1995 White Paper on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the Internal Market covers legislation on veterinary, plant-health and animal-nutrition controls, as well as marketing requirements for individual commodities. The purpose of this legislation is to protect consumers, public health and animal and plant health.

The common fisheries policy covers market-organisation regimes, structural policy, agreements with non-member countries, management and conservation of fish stocks, and scientific research in support of these activities.

Trade with the EU in fishery products is covered in the Europe Agreement but not the White Paper.

ASSESSMENT

Agriculture

Romania has made good progress in adopting the broad institutional structure, by establishing two paying agencies. However, establishment of the required administrative capacity is still at a planning stage. As regards the integrated administration and control system (IACS), despite the progress made, most of the implementation work is still to be accomplished.

Regarding the common market organisations, Romania has designated the paying agency. Progress has been made in the fields of arable crops, sugar, fruit and vegetables, wine, alcohol and milk.

A general directorate for rural development has been set up. Romania has been granted a transitional period of three years in which it may use special measures for rural development.

In the veterinary field, despite important legislative changes, the level of transposition remains insufficient. Additional efforts are needed on the veterinary control system and as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and animal by-products, animal disease control measures and public health.

Fisheries

Romania is generally meeting the commitments and requirements arising from the negotiations. It still needs to improve management of resources and the fleet, inspections and checks, structural measures and market policy. In particular Romania must reinforce its administrative and operational capacities, and strengthen the institutions responsible for the implementation of structural actions and producer organisations.